Lot 582: Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866): A white marble figure of Psyche at the Spring,

Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866): A white marble figure of Psyche at the Spring,
mid 19th Century,
standing semi draped and holding a pitcher in her right hand on stepped circular base signed B E Spence,
102cm.; 42ins high, and on cylindrical white marble column the sides carved in high relief with ribbon-tied floral swags beneath Greek key border, 85cm.; 33Iins. high

Born in Liverpool in 1822 Spence died in Leghorn, Italy on October 21, 1866. He was the son and pupil of William Spence, a wood carver, and produced portrait busts, genre figures and groups in the mood of the Romantic movement.His works include The Lady of the Lake, Highland Girl, Hippolyte and Psyche at the Spring.
Literature: Western Sculptors in Bronze, James Mackay